Chapter XXXVI

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

how long something has existed

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Let them alone a little: don’t hurry them at first.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

a white sparkling wine either produced in Champagne or resembling that produced there

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading THE OLD SQUIRE THE dinner passed off far more pleasantly than I should have imagined possible.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Let them alone a little: don’t hurry them at first.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading THE OLD SQUIRE THE dinner passed off far more pleasantly than I should have imagined possible.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Let them alone a little: don’t hurry them at first.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

set up or found

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.

in a gradual manner

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE OLD SQUIRE THE dinner passed off far more pleasantly than I should have imagined possible.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.

a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.

a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry

From this reading Let them alone a little: don’t hurry them at first.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading THE OLD SQUIRE THE dinner passed off far more pleasantly than I should have imagined possible.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading THE OLD SQUIRE THE dinner passed off far more pleasantly than I should have imagined possible.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Let them alone a little: don’t hurry them at first.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Let them alone a little: don’t hurry them at first.

-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading THE OLD SQUIRE THE dinner passed off far more pleasantly than I should have imagined possible.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading THE OLD SQUIRE THE dinner passed off far more pleasantly than I should have imagined possible.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading THE OLD SQUIRE THE dinner passed off far more pleasantly than I should have imagined possible.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading THE OLD SQUIRE THE dinner passed off far more pleasantly than I should have imagined possible.

in a cheerful manner

From this reading THE OLD SQUIRE THE dinner passed off far more pleasantly than I should have imagined possible.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading THE OLD SQUIRE THE dinner passed off far more pleasantly than I should have imagined possible.

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.

(Old Testament) wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

set aside for the use of a particular person or party

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

express in words

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading THE OLD SQUIRE THE dinner passed off far more pleasantly than I should have imagined possible.

start suddenly, as from fright

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

young nobleman attendant on a knight

From this reading THE OLD SQUIRE THE dinner passed off far more pleasantly than I should have imagined possible.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

travel through water

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading THE OLD SQUIRE THE dinner passed off far more pleasantly than I should have imagined possible.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE OLD SQUIRE THE dinner passed off far more pleasantly than I should have imagined possible.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Let them alone a little: don’t hurry them at first.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

precisely as stated

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Drawn out by their brother, and gradually losing their awe of myself as a stranger, both Rebecca and Jane found something to say, and voices wherewith to say it.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Well-brought-up girls in our English society are all shy (though not half so reserved as foreign young ladies of the same age), or at all events, are taught that it is right to appear so; but we must never forget that it is as natural for a woman to talk as for a duck to swim.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading If your host gives you good champagne, as in these anti-tariff days he is very likely to do, press them to have a glass.